Refrigerating mechanism



July 7, 1 936.

E. M. POST, JR., ET AL REFRIGERATING MECHANI SM Filed Aug. 3, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS: Edna MHf gQ k:

and 6001 98 2192112 011,

B @i W THEIR ATTORNEYS y 1936- .E. M. POST, JR., ET AL 2,046,967

REFRIGERATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 5, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y E M.F;OS.T, .JR., ET AL 2,046,967

REFRIGERAT ING MECHANI SM Filed Aug. 3, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS: Edwin 111%! and 1g! 6'. llmsllew; @7, M '51, l

THEIR- ATTORNEYS mechanisms and embodies, more specifically, an

Patented July 7, 1936 REFRIGERATING MECHANISM Edwin M. Post, Jr., New York, and George 0.

Hanshew, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignors to International Motor Company, New York, N. Y., a

, corporation of Delaware Application August a, 1932, Serial No. 627,310

'1 Claim. ,(01. 62-6)- The present invention relates to refrigerating improved device for maintaining a predetermined temperature within a compartment. More particularly, the invention embodies a refrigerating device whereby the temperature of a compartment is controlledby means of a circulating system to direct air from the compartment about a cooling medium and reintroduce such air into the compartment. In this connection, the present invention has been designed for use in connection with a refrigerating medium, such as solid carbon dioxide, the temperature of which is considerably below the temperature at which it is desired to maintain a compartment. To utilize such a substance as a refrigerant and effectively control the temperature of the compartment has proved to be an extremely difficult matter and the a refrigerating mechanism of the above character on the plane. indicated by the line 2--2 of Figure wherein the refrigerant used is maintained in a suitable insulated and protective compartmentseparated from the compartment to be refrigerated, a circulating mechanism being further provided to effect a desired circulation of air be:- tween the compartments.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above; will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 1

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section taken on the broken plane indicated bythe line l--l of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 2 is a view in horizontal section, taken 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a motor'vehicle body or other compartment constructed with a refrigerating mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

Figure4 is a view in side elevation showing the device of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a modified form of refrigerating mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention. 7

Figure 6 is a view in vertical section taken through a thermostatic relay constructed in ac- 5 cordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a plan view, showing the relay of- Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an electric system which isadapted to operate the 10 refrigerating mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 9, 10, and 11 are detail views in section, taken on lines 9, l0, and ll, respectively, of Figure 8 and looking in the direction of the arrows. 5.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical system which is adapted to operate the form of invention shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5.

With reference to the above drawings, a refrigerating compartment is shown at l 0, the compartment being formed by a cabinet ll of suitable insulating material. Associated with the refrigerating compartment is an auxiliary compartment l2 within which a refrigerant I3 is adapted to be received, the compartment 12 being separate from and not in communication with compartment Ill. The two compartments are separated by a palte M which may be formed upon opposite sides of a partition l5 within a circulating compartment "5. The circulating compartment l 6 may be formed by a partition I! of suitable insulating material which is provided with openings l8 and [9 at the top thereof.

A funnel-shaped conduit 20 is secured over the opening l8 and thus directs air to such opening and into the circulating compartment Hi from a fan 2|. The path of air passing through opening I 8 is indicated by the long solid arrows of Figure 2 and the dotted arrows of Figure 1.

-When the air passes through opening l8, it passes downwardly between the parallel webs 14' upon plate l4 and upwardly upon the other side of partition l5 as indicated by the solid arrows,

of Figure 1. After passing upwardly through the circulating chamber [6, the air passes out through aperture l9 into the refrigerating chamber ID. A baflie 22 is provided to prevent a circulating fan 23 from circulating air over the cold element.

In order that the air within. the refrigerating compartment l0 maynot stagnate and to prevent the-formation of air pockets within such compartment, the circulating fan 23 is provided therein, such fanserving to maintain a desired circulation of air'within the refrigerating compartment III.

In order that the refrigerant I3 may be maintained against the plate I4, a backing plate 24 is mounted upon a rod 25 which is slidably mounted within a cover 26 of chamber I2. The outer end of rod 25 is provided with a pulley 21 over which a flexible cord 28 passes to support a weight 29 at the end thereof. Guide pulley 38 upon the cover 26 serves to guide the movement of the flexible rod and the latter is anchored at 3| to the upper portion of the cover 26. In this fashion, plate 24 is urged inwardly to maintain the block of refrigerant I3 against plate I4.

When the temperature within the chamber I- rises to a predetermined maximum a thermostat 32 functions to rotate the fan 2| and circulate air from the refrigerating chamber I8 through the circulating chamber I6. This causes the air circulated through chamber I6 to be chilled as it passes over the plate I4 and between the webs I4, thus bringing the temperature within the refrigerating chamber down to a predetermined value. By forming the plate I4 in webs I4 of asuitable heat conducting material an effective heat transfer is obtained between the refrigerant I3 and the air circulated within chamber I6. Inasmuch as the registering chamber I8 is isolated from the refrigerant, the temperature within such chamber may be effectively controlled.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, a refrigerating chamber is illustrated as being the interior of a vehicle body 33. This body is formed with an upper outlet duct 34 and lower inlet ducts 35.

The ducts 35 may extend around and about the bottom of the body and communicate with a duct 36 which is connected to a circulating fan 31. Fan 31 directs air from the ducts 35 and 36 to a valve chamber 38 within which a valve 39 is mounted. When the valve is moved into a vertical position, as illustrated in Figure 4, air is circulated from the fan 31 through the right hand portion of the valve chamber and under a plate 48 from, which webs 4| extend. A transfer partition 42 is provided to direct the air to flow outwardly along a portion of the webs 4| and plate 48 and back upon the other side thereof as illustrated in Figure 3. After emerging from beneath the plate 40 and webs 4|, the air flows into the left hand portion of the valve chamber 38, as viewed in Figure 4, from whence it flows into a duct 43 to a duct 44 which communicates with the outlet duct 34. When the temperature within the body is decreased to a predetermined minimum, a thermostat mounted therein functions to move the valve 39 into a horizontal position, as indicated in dot and dash lines in Figure 4. The resulting flow of air from the fan 31 is through the upper portion of the valve chamber 38 and directly into the duct 43, thereby eliminating the circulation chamber beneath plate 48. The refrigerating effect may be derived from a refrigerant 45, indicated in dot and dash lines in Figure 4, the refrigerant being introduced intothe chamber above plate 48 through one wall of the vehicle body.

In the construction shown in Figure 5, a modified form of the invention isillustrated wherein a supply duct is shown at 46 to direct air from a circulating compartment 41 to a refrigerating compartment, parallel ducts 48 and 49 being pro-\ vided to remove air from the refrigerating chamber. A'circulating fan 58 may be placed in the duct 46 and duct 48 is connected directly to duct 46 while duct 49 communicates with the .circulating passage 41 and is connected to the duct 46 through a duct it; Valves 52 and 58 are mount-r which is secured to a spindle 68.

' able.

ed in the ducts 48 and respectively, being actuated by a motor 54 and so constructed that one is in opened position when the other is closed. A compartment 55 is formed above a plate 56 from which webs 51 depend, a refrigerant indicated at 58 being inserted within the compartment 55 in order that the air circulating beneath the plate 56 and about the webs 51 may be cooled.

Successive actuationsof motor 54 will be seen to close one of the ducts 48 and 5| while the other one is open. In this fashion an effective temperature control within the refrigerating chamber is afforded, the circulation of air within the refrigerating chamber being accomplished by the same motor that effects circulation thereof about the refrigerant.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7 the thermostatic element for controlling the air circulating mechanism in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. This mechanism shown generally in Figure 1, includes a coiled heat responsive element 58, one end of which is mounted upon a tubular member 59 and the other end of Spindle 60 is journaled upon a cone bearing 6| which is formed upon a set screw 62, adjustably mounted upon a bracket 63 within the refrigerating chamber. The other end of the spindle 68 is secured to a thermal insulating shaft section 64 which is pro vided with a rounded shaft section 65 within an insulating sleeve 61, mounted within the wall II of the chamber I8. Insulating sleeve is secured at the lower extremity to tubular member 59 and the base 68 of bracket 63.

A mounting plate 69 is secured to the sleeve 61 and provided with an adjustable plate 18 which may be connected thereto by means of screws 1| which extend through elongated arcuate slots 12 formed in the plate 18. In this fashion, relative movement between the plates 69 and is accommodated and the position of the plates with respect to each other thus rendered adjust- Upon plate 18 an upwardly extending bracket is formed, this bracket supporting a set screw 13 within which the end of shaft section 65 is journaled. Shaft section 65 has mounted thereon an armature 14 which is disposed adjacent electro-magnets and 16, respectively. The electro-magnets 15 and 16 are mounted upon brackets 11, upon plate 18, and thus may be suitably positioned opposite the ends of armature 14. Upon a variation in temperature within the chamber I8, the thermal element 58 expands or contracts and moves armature 14 into contacting position with terminals 18 and 19 upon the respective magnets 16 and 15. With reference to Figure 8, the electrical circuits for effecting the operation of the mechanism are illustrated in detail. In the interest of clearness' the thermal element is illustrated in a simplified fashion. Magnets 16 and 15 are shown as being positioned in opposed relationship, each being connected to suitable contacts upon a contacting mechanism 88 by means of wires 8| and 82, respectively.

The thermal element 32 is connected through a wire 83 and switch 84 to a battery 85 or other source of electrical energy, the other terminal of battery 85 being connected to the base of the contacting mechanism 88 by means of a wire 86. Fan 2| is connected in an electrical circuit 81 which is connected to battery 85 through a switch 88. Fan 23 is connected through a circuit 89 and switch 98 to the battery 85.

The contacting device 88 includes a motor 9| 'whichis gearedto ashaftfl joumaiedinbearings 93 upon the base of the device. Upon shaft 92, cams 94 and 95 are mounted, as well as a con-.

segments I94 while disc 96 is provided with an.

insulating disc I95. Wires I96 and I9! connect motor 9I across wires BI and 82. Y

The electrical system functions in the following manner Fan 23, of course, is continuously operated to agitate the air within the refrigerating device. Fan 2| is controlled by contact disc 96, and when finger 99 engages the conducting segment I 95 the fan is driven by its power source. When shaft 92 turns the disc 99 to place a conducting portion of the disc under the finger 99 the motor 2I is grounded through battery 85 and the motor is operated. Rotation of shaft 92 is controlled by cams 94 and 95 which are connected with the respective terminals I8 and I9. -When the temperature within the refrigerating device .rises to a predetermined value, one of the tersequent rotation of shaft 92 by 'motor 9| causes the insulating segment I95 to pass underfinger 99 and place the latter upon a conducting portion of the disc 99. This causes motor 2| to operate, circulating air from the refrigerating compartment around the refrigerant. As soon as finger 99 rests upon a conducting portion of disc 96, finger 98 drops off of the cam 95 and rests upon the insulating segment I 94 thereof. This disconnects motor 9I from the battery and therefore stops the. rotation of shaft 92. During this operation finger 91 has passed from the insulating section I94 of cam 94 to a conducting portion thereof so that when the thermal element 32 en- 'gages contact. I9 upon a predetermined fall in temperature within the refrigerating chamber the motor will again be actuated to place finger 99 upon the insluating segment I95.

In the system illustrated by the diagram shown in Figure 12, the motor 59 is connected to the battery as described in connection with motor 23. Instead of providing a fan and fan motor 2I,

- motor 54 is connected to a disc 96, motor 54 being of a stop type such as a solenoid, or electro-magnet. Inasmuch as the electrical elements of the system shown in Figure 12 are similar to thoseshown in Figure 8, a detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary, the operation of such systion'has' been described in connection with a retem being obvious from the description of the operation of the system shown in Figure 8. Instead of providing an additional fan, such as fan 2|, the .motor 54 is operated to cause air from the refrigerating chamber to be circulated either 5 through duct 48 or duct 49 and duct 5i. When valve 52 is inthe, position shown in Figure 12, the refrigerating element 58 is not functioning and air is merely circulated through the refrigerating compartment by the motor 59. When valves 52 and 53 are moved to the position shown in Figure 5, however, the circulation of air through duct 49 is prevented and motor 59 directs air through ducts 49 and 5|, passing through the circulating chamber 41 to cause the refrigerating element to function. a

By providing magnets I5 and I8 in the circuit of the thermal element a quick make and brake is insured, element 32 being maintained against the respective contacts I8 and I9 until the circuit therethrough is broken through cams 94 or 95. Provision for the adjustment of thermal element 1 58 is provided since plates 69 and I9 may be relatively rotated. This moves the elements upon which the ends of thermal element 58 are secured to place a desired initial tension upon the element.

It will be seen that the motor 54 may be dispensed with and the valves actuated by a direct connection with shaft 92. Furthermore the cams 95 need nothave shoulders but may be discs or other circuit breaking devices of well known form.

' From' the foregoing it will be seen thata refrigerating mechanism has been provided which functions eifectiv'ely not only to preserve a predeter- 3 mined temperature within a refrigerating compartment but also to maintain a desired circulation of air within the compartment.

In the embodiment described herein, the invenfrigerating mechanism. Inasmuch as the mechanism is essentially a heat transfer mechanism, instead of being embodied in a refrigerating device, it may be utilized in connection with mechanisms wherein it is desired to supply heat to a compartment and'maintain the same at a predetermined temperature.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claim.

' We claim as our invention:

thereof, a heat interchange device'in the last named chamber, a heat responsive element in the first chamber, mechanical means oflsetwith respect to the ports to agitate positively the air, within the first chamber; and mechanical means juxtaposed with respect to one of the ports and controlled by the heat responsive device for causing air to be circulated between the said chambers. 88

EDWIN M. POSB-JB. GEORGE O. HANSHEW. 

